Disabled Chonburi residents and aid organizations learned about legal rights, obligations and benefits at seminar on the 2007 Handicapped Quality of Life Development and Encouragement Act.
Gov. Khomsan Ekachai opened the April 26 seminar at Chalerm Prakiet Pavilion in Chonburi, which offered lectures on such topics and job opportunities for disabled people.
Gov. Khomsan Ekachai talks with disabled residents at Chalerm Prakiet Pavilion in Chonburi.
Chonburi has 20,039 registered disabled residents with 13,384 of those receiving a 500 baht per month disability benefit. Only 726 registered disabled people are employed, working 226 companies.
Khomsan noted that the government has made helping its disabled citizens a priority, passing laws to require private businesses employ the disabled and pay into the disability stipend program. Cities are also installing handicapped-accessible facilities and equipment.
The disabled also received many benefits, he said, including business loans, free train rides, and free interpreters for the deaf and blind.
The Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization and Pattaya City Hall also have been designated agents to accept complaints, evaluate budgets and perform inspections under the 2007 law, he said.
